A Celebration of a Life’s Work

3^rd March – 8^th May 2022

cover image, detail, Death by Numbers, 2005.  Bronze, marble, wood,  106 x 30 x 34cm. Collection of University of Limerick, UL

Spirit Music, the title of Tom Fitzgerald’s exhibition at LCGA is an invitation to look at his work in different ways: quiet/resonant; internal/external; corporeal/ethereal all of which are embodied in this exhibition, Spirit Music, a celebration of Fitzgerald’s long career and contribution to the visual arts locally and nationally. Although Fitzgerald’s work has been exhibited internationally, his life, education and practice has been in Limerick city and county. His quiet confidence in a unique personal language and his ease in his own place has been a constant source of inspiration.

Up to 100 works are included in this exhibition dating from the early 80s right up to the present.  Fitzgerald’s early work is predominantly sculptural using limestone and other materials including slate, wood and glass.  These works frequently engage with the myths and legends of the past to more personal works such as his father’s tools (on loan from Limerick City and County Council). 

Included also are drawings from his exhibition, The Ministry of Dust (2004) and The Celtic Zoo (2014) include works in pencil, watercolour and beeswax. The almost dream-like quality of the images, combined with the humour of the titles don’t tone down the caustic perspective taken by Fitzgerald on greed and corruption and their impacts on the environment.  In this exhibition, the assemblage series reflect his adaptability and range while his recent foray into painting results in a body of work where the bold and vibrant palette demonstrates Fitzgerald’s constant interrogation of his practice.

installation view, North Gallery, 

Spirit Music is a celebration of this artist’s body of work over forty years and provides us with an opportunity to see the development of his work over this period. It also takes us on a journey at times mythical and whimsical and others caustic and satirical ensuring that the “past is not a foreign country”.

Official launch on Saturday 9th April performed by Marian Fitzgibbon for the catalogue  containing essays by Sean Ó Laoire, Gerry Dukes and Niamh Nic Ghabhann who all present a close pen-portrait of this “pure artist” and his significant and ongoing contribution to the visual arts in the Mid-West and Ireland.

LCGA is proud to host this exhibition at LCGA and to call Tom Fitzgerald “one of our own”.   

Any queries please email artgallery@limerick.e

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 detail of Quantumania, (100 tiles)

Exhibition information sheet  Information Sheet TF (503 Kb)

Any queries please email artgallery@limerick.ie